DES MOINES, Iowa — The second man accused of killing a 4-year-old in a drag racing crash last December has been found guilty on six counts.
Keith Jones was found guilty of six criminal charges in connection to the Dec. 13, 2022 crash that killed 4-year-old Marcos Faguada:
- Homicide by Vehicle — Drag Racing
- Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (two counts)
- Reckless Driving (two counts)
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death
Two of the guilty counts come on lesser charges that were tried as Homicide by Vehicle — Operating While Intoxicated and Homicide by Vehicle — Reckless Driving.
Jones will be sentenced on Dec. 14.
The verdict comes just months after the other suspect, Robert Miller III, was found guilty on five charges, including vehicular homicide.
The court saw an emotional trial as witnesses and victims shared their stories from the night of the crash. Witnesses testified that they did see two cars driving fast and recklessly past them.
However, one survivor of the crash, who was driving the car with the 4-year-old boy, is still dealing with emotional trauma from the incident.
“I remember being hurt," said Mayra De Catalan, a crash victim. "I was afraid, I could feel my heart pounding.”
After four days of witness testimony, the defendant took the stand, telling the jury he wasn’t racing. Jones testified about his every move when driving.
“I was trying to just get away from him at that point," he said. "At first I was trying to get him to slow down, but he wasn’t trying to listen."
On Day 5 of the trial, both sides presented their arguments.
The state claimed Jones was driving recklessly and was clearly drinking, based off of surveillance footage.
“They all described the behavior as the same, both vehicles racing, weaving in and out of traffic, cutting lanes, driving recklessly, dangerously,” said Jaki Livingston, assistant Polk County attorney, in closing arguments.
The defense claims that witness testimony and video evidence were inconsistent and Jones played no role in the crash.
“Did you see it swerve? Never once do you see it cross the center line. Never once do you see it go to the right side. It drives straight down the road,” said defense attorney Van Plumb in closing arguments.